Germany: Hildesheim Invaders stun Kiel Baltic Hurricanes on last-second touchdown

| American Football | 06/02/2025

The Hildesheim Invaders (2-1) clinched a thrilling 30-28 road victory over the Kiel Baltic Hurricanes (1-3) at Kilia Stadium, capped by Vincent McDonald’s game-winning touchdown catch as time expired in a chaotic German Football League showdown.

Invaders strike early with defensive dominance
Quarterback Nelson Hughes orchestrated a near-flawless opening drive, connecting with Nils Bäumer for a 12-yard touchdown to put Hildesheim ahead 7-0. The defense, led by cornerback Chauncey Moore (2 interceptions), stifled Kiel’s early momentum. Moore’s first pick set up running back Jeremie Beni’s 4-yard rushing score, extending the lead to 14-0. Kiel clawed back late in the half, with Lorenz Rotermund’s 3-yard TD narrowing the deficit to 14-7 after a fumble recovery forced by defensive end Robert Revels’ sack on Hughes.

Second-half seesaw battle
Kiel surged ahead in the third quarter when CJ Davis returned an interception 45 yards for a pick-six, followed by quarterback PJ Settles’ 18-yard touchdown pass to Chandler Smith (21-14). Hildesheim responded with Beni’s second rushing TD to tie the game, but kicker Mas Prevoo’s 32-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter gave the visitors a 24-21 edge. Kiel retaliated swiftly, with Rotermund’s second TD rush reclaiming the lead at 28-24 with 2:02 remaining.

Hughes engineers clutch final drive
Trailing by four, Hughes navigated a 75-yard drive in the final 1:56, overcoming a critical sack. A 20-yard scramble and completions to Lennart Stukenborg (2 catches, 28 yards) and Bäumer (3 receptions, 47 yards) positioned Hildesheim at Kiel’s 10-yard line. With 0:03 left, Hughes lofted a fade to McDonald, who outleaped three defenders in the end zone for the decisive score.

Key performers

  • Nelson Hughes: 2 passing TDs, 64 rushing yards, game-winning drive
  • Chauncey Moore: 2 interceptions, 3 pass breakups
  • Vincent McDonald: 4 receptions, 88 yards, walk-off TD
  • PJ Settles: 1 TD, 3 interceptions under pressure

Road ahead
The Invaders visit the Dresden Monarchs in Week 4, buoyed by their resilient road performance. The Baltic Hurricanes, despite Settles’ 245 passing yards and Rotermund’s dual touchdowns, face urgency ahead of a return matchup with the Invaders on June 14.

Hildesheim’s last-second heroics underscored their poise in high-stakes moments, while Kiel’s defensive lapses in crunch time left them winless at home. The duel lived up to its billing as one of the GFL’s most electrifying contests of 2025.

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